Consumer Reports Ranks Subaru Number One Again, But Jeep Landed Dead Last For The Third Year In A Row Alongside Dodge, GMC, Land Rover And Rivian At The Bottom

Which car brand should you trust with your hard-earned money, and which ones keep landing at the bottom of the heap? Consumer Reports just gave car shoppers a scorecard, and a couple of the results are bound to start arguments at the dinner table.

A white SUV parked on a gravel road near mountains.

In its 2026 Automotive Brand Report Card, released on December 4, 2025, Consumer Reports ranked Subaru the top overall brand for the second year in a row. At the other end of the list, Jeep landed dead last for the third year running. Keep in mind that this report card is about a year old at this point, but it remains a useful guide for anyone comparing brands.

The Top of the Class

After Subaru, the next four brands in the overall ranking were BMW, Porsche, Honda and Toyota. That is a mix of everyday names and luxury and performance names. Plenty of buyers want a car that simply does its job without drama, and a few familiar names did well on that score.

Toyota also earned the title of most reliable brand. For shoppers who care most about a car that starts every morning and avoids trips to the repair shop, that is a headline worth noting.

The Bottom of the List

The five lowest-ranked brands were Dodge, GMC, Land Rover, Rivian and Jeep. Jeep sat in last place, and it has been there three years in a row. That is not a one-time slip, and Consumer Reports’ findings suggest it is a pattern worth knowing about if you are thinking about a Jeep.

It is worth saying plainly that a low brand ranking does not mean every single vehicle from that brand is a bad one. Brand rankings are averages. Individual models can be better or worse than the brand as a whole. But when a brand lands near the bottom year after year, it is fair to ask more questions before you buy.

Some Bright Spots for American Brands

The report did include some good news for Detroit. Ford came in 11th in reliability, which marks its best result in 15 years according to the release. Buick was the highest-ranked American brand in reliability, at 8th.

These are reliability rankings, which are a different measure than the overall brand ranking. The reliability numbers matter a lot to people who plan to keep a car for many years, so they are worth a look on their own.

Where the Information Comes From

The Consumer Reports survey covered about 380,000 vehicles. That is a large sample, and it gives the results more weight than the opinion of a single friend or relative. Still, no survey can predict how your particular car will behave, so it works best as one tool among several.

The Report Card at a Glance

Here is the quick scorecard. The top five overall brands were Subaru, BMW, Porsche, Honda and Toyota. The bottom five were Dodge, GMC, Land Rover, Rivian and Jeep, with Jeep in last place. Toyota was named the most reliable brand. In reliability, Ford came in 11th, its best result in 15 years, and Buick was the highest-ranked American brand at 8th.

Consumer Reports is an independent nonprofit organization, and its report card draws on a survey covering about 380,000 vehicles rather than a single road test. For shoppers comparing brands, it is a handy snapshot of where each one stands going into 2026, and it gives a clear reason to look harder at the brands at the bottom of the list.

How to Use a Brand Report Card

Start with the brand, then narrow to the model. Use the ranking to build a short list, then look up the specific model and year you are considering.
Weigh reliability against your needs. If you drive a lot of miles or plan to keep the vehicle a long time, reliability should count for more.
Do not ignore price and ownership costs. A well-ranked brand can still be expensive to buy, insure and maintain.
Check for warranty coverage. A strong warranty can ease worries about a brand with a mixed record.
Take a thorough test drive. Rankings cannot tell you whether the seats fit your back or whether you like the way it drives.
Ask a trusted mechanic. A good independent mechanic often knows which makes and models come through the shop most often.
Be careful with used vehicles. A brand’s current ranking may not match how an older model has held up. Get a history report and an inspection.

Do Not Shop on Loyalty Alone

Plenty of us have a brand we grew up with. Dad drove one, and so did Grandpa. There is nothing wrong with loyalty, but a good report card is a reason to compare. If your favorite brand has landed near the bottom, take a closer look at the details before you sign. If it ranks high, you can feel better about your choice.

The Bottom Line

Consumer Reports ranked Subaru number one again, followed by BMW, Porsche, Honda and Toyota, while Jeep finished last for the third year in a row, alongside Dodge, GMC, Land Rover and Rivian at the bottom. Toyota took the crown for most reliable, and Ford and Buick had bright spots in the reliability section. Use the report as a starting point, do your own homework on the specific model, and spend your money on the car that fits your life, not just the one with the best logo.

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